Ethylwhyte's New Toy

George stopped and thought. It did not appear that Ethylwhyte was trying to find them, and he had not attacked Draco. It was more likely that Ethylwhyte would hurt them through carelessness or accident. So, against his instincts, he went toward the sound, and saw the giant clasping his grubby hands around a cask, and draining it into his mouth. Six of the casks lay on the ground discarded. Ethylwhyte had taken his shirt off, and was now wading into the great river. George creeped up to the edge of the gorge. The giant now stood at the base of the falls, and placed the empty cask into the river and poured it over his head, with a laugh that was a little higher pitched than the rumbling of the waterfall. "Well, it looks like Draco is on his way to fulfilling his task," George thought. "Do you want to build a bridge for me, while you are at it, Ethylwhyte?"

Ethylwhyte then seemed to notice George. George was frozen to the spot. His legs felt limp and he could barely stand. The giant smiled and placed the cask under the waterfall, breaking it into two streams for a second. He then raised his hand and poured the cask of water over George. But George still could not move, and was soaked. The giant took his forefinger and thumb and lifted George into the air, and placed him in the cask. What was the giant going to do to him? George ducked into the cask, helpless against the whims of the giant.

After a few minutes, the jerking motions had stopped. He was gently bobbing up and down on something. He must be on the river. He carefully peered over the edge of the cask. He was in a dangerous position. If he upset the upright barrel, he would fall into the river, or flood the cask. He glanced up. He could see grass and clover, so he was not in the gorge. Which could only mean that he was upstream from the waterfall. The barrel started to tilt forward.

If he jumped out, then he might not be strong enough to swim against the current, and the giant might notice him. If he stayed in, then he might be held up by some rocks ... or plunge over the water.

1. Jump out of the barrel and swim for shore.
2. Duck back into the cask.

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